Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-10-14
LITTLE JOE,
ByJAMES OTIS.
AUTHOR OF ''ToBY TYLER" ''MR. STUBS
BROTHER" ssTIM AND TIP" "RAIsING THE
PEARL" LEFT BEHIND" "sILENT
PETE" ETC.

ed this question of burly, red faced veteri-
nary surgeon on Twenty-ffth street, near
Third avenue; and probably the visitor
would have been turned away with a very
gruff answer but for the look of anxiety in
the brown eyes. which seemed unnaturally
large because of his thin face.
ssIf horse that was worth the trouble
should get his leg broke l could set it, but
what do you mean by asking that question,
and what have you got there? Speak up
quick, for / can't spend much time fooliDg
with a customer like you, the man replied
As he gazed first at the boys face and then at
a suspicious looking lump under the curious
ly patched coat which hid from view every
portion Of the visitor save his head, hands
and feet.
| ITS dog what got run over by xpress
wagon" toe boy replied as he uubuttoned
the ancient and i'll fitting garment, exposing
TO view small brown terrier, who yelped
| with pain when he was thus forced to change
| his position.
| Both legs broken, eh?" the surgeon said,
after hasty glance. what are you going
to do with this dog if set the broken bones?"
"Ill keep him round somewhere. P'rhaps
| they'll give me box over to the grocery
store, an he couldn't want anything better'n
that. Say, how much will you charger"
"My fee would be IS for such Job as
that from anybody else; but seems how you
amt likely to be overburdened with cash,
| I'll do 1t for dollar
| "Wouldn'-I mean, can-say, if I'll give
you ten cents down, an bring five every day
till it's all paid, won't you mend him?"
| "Do you think you can afford to throw
away so much money on dog that isn't
worth a cent more than his hide would
bring?"
| 81 don't s'pose he is a very nice one, else
his master wouldn't a. left him when he got
run over; but he looks like poor, lonesome
| little Teller, same's am, an we'd feel kinder
| nice bein good to each other"
| Once more the red-faced man looked down
| sharply at the boy, and then he began his
surgical work, as he asked, in gruff voice :;
Whats your manner"
Joe Morgan. The fellers call me Little
Joe, cause | amt got much size yet, an |
guess good many of em don't know l own
any other name. I'll bring you the money
every day till the dollars paid"
Haven't you got any relatives"
"Not one Jack Greely's father said /
| must "a had somebody what belonged to me;
| but don't know anything about it. Are you
goin' to do the job on trust?"
"Can't you see that I'm working at it now?
| shall expect you to come here with the
cash every morning"
81 won't skip one if l can help it. How
| long will it be before he can walk?.'
SIN a couple of months he'll be all right"
s'There, l reckon he's all right now, and
you had better take him away. What's his
name?"
an call him Doctor, guess" Joe re-
piled, as he pushed the ten-cent piece yet
nearer the surgeon, San then both of us will
be sure to remember how good you was to
trust us for the rest of the money"
1t was not possible to run without causing
The cripple pain; but Joe walked at the best
possible speed toward the ferry, for it was
near the time when Slip johnson, who
brought him the evening papers, might be
expected.
Slip johnson sold papers in the vicinity of
the ferry, but did not confne himself to any
particular locality. Three months previous
| he had taken much pleasure in teasing
the small, delicate looking boy who was try
! ing t. establish a newsstand in the corner of
a lumber yard any of his companions.
but he lost all zest for such sport one evening
when he fell from the pier and no one save
Joe had the courage to leap into the water
and save bin.
After that Slip did all he could to show
that his enmity had been swallowed up by
1rlehoship, anu, among other hinuly acts'
brought regularly from down town the stock
in trade for the undergrad stand.
Joe was feeding the patient when Slip
arrived with the evenings stock OF papers,
and, as matter of course, was introduced to
Doctor, who looked so helpless as he lay on
bed of paper in box. with both hind legs,
swathed IN bandages, that the visitor
sympathy was Immediately aroused.
There was no time, however, for extended
conversation. The afternoon papers were
already in demand.
1t was just as the last copy had been sold
and Joe was making ready to go across the
street for supper, that 81 Hodgdon stalked in
front OF the board-pile standing there silent
and motionless. as II he had come SIMPLY for
the purpose of being admired
There could be no question but that ne was
dressed in his very best, and Joe looked at
him in open mouthed astonishment before it
was possible to speak
Well, you are hne! Joe exclaimed.
"Whats the natter Goin TO take trip
for your health an come 10 say gooooyf
81 am goln' away, an that's fact I've
struck chance on one OF them big steamers
that run to Cuoa, an I've got to be on board
tonight, sure. Can't you see to Alice tor me,
and GIT tyranny lousey 10 take care OF her
III pay dollar week Tor her ooaro, an
here's 90 cents down.
81 laid the coin on the STAND IN front OF
joe ana turned away as II ms business was